Finally! Finally, Manchester City got their hands on the Community Shield at the fifth time of asking. While no one is pretending this is the most important trophy the Blues want this season, Pep Guardiola has always made it clear he considers this a prestigious piece of silverware and he knows ending his side's recent losing run in this contest, especially against Manchester United, is an key moment for the squad.

Erling Haaland was also hoping to end his own Wembley hoodoo, having not scored in his previous four Wembley appearances. Unfortunately, this proved not to be the match and he will have to wait a little longer to score in open play at the English national stadium. However, he did at least successfully convert his effort in the penalty shootout.

But to solely judge Haaland on whether he scored in this glorified friendly would be short-sighted. As would his involvements, he had 18 touches, just two of which where inside the United box, 14 passes and won two of his five duels, but failed to have a shot, on or off target. His contribution in City matches when he does not score has been long debated and, no doubt, will continue to be by many pundits in the 2024/25 campaign.

At this stage of his City career - entering his third season with the Premier League champions - it feels more relevant to examine Haaland on his attitude. At points last season, not helped by injuries, he cut a frustrated and angry figure on the pitch and in some of his post-match discussions with his teammates and manager as he left the field, with his manager sometimes returning in kind.

None of this was on show at Wembley. The forward, fresh from a whole summer off and a full pre-season campaign, thanks to Norway's failure to reach the Euro's in Germany, looked focused and fired up, yet equally relaxed and seemingly not putting too much pressure on himself or his teammates.

He was chomping at the bit from the start. The Norwegian, who was born in England, boomed out the British national anthem ahead of kick-off, looking passionate and in fine mood to have a big afternoon. He aimed to terrorise the questionable United centre-back pairing of Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans, flooring England international Maguire will have been a particularly satisfying moment for both the player and Blue's fans.

Ultimately his constant running and hard work went unrewarded, mainly due to the lack of supply and quality final balls from his fellow men in blue. This will be a different story in the league once Guardiola has all his senior players available and flowing again, following their extended absences after their summer exploits in various international tournaments.

Haaland will no doubt have been frustrated not to have finally bagged a goal under the famous arch, or to just get a clear opportunity to do so. This could have played on him, and it certainly would on a lesser player, going into the penalty shootout, especially with United keeper Andre Onana's antics. But that relaxed and focused mentality the forward displayed ahead of kick-off was still fully locked in come the dramatic finale .

After Bernardo Silva's opening miss, Haaland stepped up with City 2-0 down knowing a second miss would be game, set and match to their Manchester rivals. Onana was buoyed from his Silva save and determined to add Haaland's scalp, as he dealt out the mind games.

The Cameroon international first appeared to shout 'big man' at Haaland to grab his attention and then beckoned him to fire the penalty to the right of his goal by positioning himself on the left.

What did the Norwegian do? As he placed the ball on the spot he just smiled back at his challenger, enjoying the mental battle and the pressure. Then, displaying that famed ice-cool head, he outthought his opponent, moved quickly and simply wrong footed the slow United 'keeper to slot the ball into the left of the goal.

As he trotted back to his teammates applauding him on the halfway line, Haaland simply turned back to laugh at Onana for his antics.

The tables soon turned, as Jadon Sancho missed United's fourth spot kick, before Evans blazed over the bar in sudden death to hand City their first silverware of the new season - the quintuple is on. Yet here, Haaland's outstanding attitude shone again in the London sunshine.

After the initial celebrations following Manuel Akanji winning kick, Haaland took the time to go and speak, shake hands and console the entire United squad. An extra touch of class from a player who could have easily been annoyed at the of lack of service he received in the 90 minutes and Onana's behaviour.

The 6ft4 forward knows greater battles lie ahead in the coming campaign and that the outcome of their clashes with United will be crucial in their bid for a record fifth consecutive Premier League title, so respect and calm are required. Haaland has five goals in his four Premier League matches against Erik ten Heg's side and with the attitude and mental fortitude he displayed at Wembley you would expect him to extend that scoring feat this season.

Haaland cut a happy, rested, focused, determined, passionate and mature figure on Saturday and that should send a shudder of fear down the backs of City's domestic, European and, this season, world rivals. In this mood, repeating his first season incredible goal scoring record at City is very much a reality.

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